Method and apparatus for forming cord



Jan. 23, 1962 J. BEYER ETAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING CORD Filed June 25, 1953 INVENTORS ATTORNEY 3,ill7,738 Patented Jan. 23, 1952 Carl 3,017,738 METHOD AND APPARATUS FUR FORMING CORD leno Beyer and (Zonrad Joseph Gonsalves, Arnhem, Netherlands, assignors to American Erika Corporation, Erika, N.., a corporation of Delaware Filed dune 25, 1953, Ser. No. 364,174 Claims priority, application Netherlands Nov. 21, 1952 13 tllaiins. ((Ii. 57-58.3)

The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for the manufacture of a two-element twisted thread product having a symmetrical build.

The term element should be understood to include any thread-like product or strand that is suitable for building a thread product obtained by doubling, for example, vehicle tire cord. As starting material all untwisted or 1ow-twisted artificial thread and typical classic yarn, from cotton, viscose rayon staple, linen, silk, wool and similar products may be used.

As a result of the method and apparatus now employed for manufacturing two-element twisted thread products the products lack regularity and symmetry in the thread build. Such a product is customarily obtained by joining two untwisted or slightly twisted thread elements by means of a special rotating driving mechanism which winds one element of the final product around the other so that the point of joining is forcibly localized in a hollow spindle or eyelet and does not allow for any changes in tension which might occur on either of the elements during the course of forming the product. As a result the point of joining is substantially constant with relation to the mechanism.

The present invention provides a method and apparatus for joining two untwisted or slightly-twisted thread elements at a point the location of which may vary to compensate for differences in tension which might occur on either of the elements going to make up the product.

A product of regular and symmetrical build is obtained because one element is allowed to balloon around the other at the point of joining so that the point of joining is freely movable and not localized as in a hollow spindle or thread eyelet.

The method according to this invention is characterized by the fact that one thread element is passed from a yarn package to a rotating false-twist device and from there to a free point of joining on the other element prior to collection of the cord. The tension required for ballooning one element is generated in the ballooning element between the yarn package and the starting point of the balloon. The other element simultaneously passes from its yarn storage package to a guide member under a pro-tension adapted to the balloon tension of the ballooning element, to the point of joining after which the thread product is withdrawn through a guide member. It is preferable that the ballooning element, after leaving the rotor of the false-twist device, reach the point of joining when ballooning freely, i.e., without any mechanical contact. The gneration of the tension required for ballooning is preferably effected by means of a storage disk, fixed tightly to the false-twist device. This disk imparts a pre-tension to the ballooning element subsequent to the element leaving the yarn package and prior to reaching the initial point of ballooning.

The apparatus according to the invention is characterized by a rotating false-twist apparatus combined with tensioning devices. The false-twist apparatus is so constructed that a freely balloonable thread element can be ballooned around a yarn package placed on a stator, which is supported by the false-twist device and to which is connected an adjustable tensioning device for the thread element of the package placed on the stator. The apparatus includes in addition, a thread guiding member 2 through which the thread product formed from the elements can be withdrawn by any suitable take-up means.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a method for forming a two-element twisted thread product of regular and symmetrical build.

Another object of this invention is to provide an appar-atus for obtaining a two-element twisted thread product of regular and symmetrical build.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for producing a two-element twisted thread product of regular and symmetrical build which requires a minimum driving force and a minimum number of mechanical parts.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 illustrates a fragmentary vertical section partly in elevation of a doubler showing a construction according to the present invention in a typical environment; and

FIGURE 2 illustrates a modification of FIGURE 1 with the difference being shown in vertical section but with similar parts not shown for purposes of easier understanding.

Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to FIGURE 1 yarn packages are denoted by 11 and 12. from which the thread elements 13 and 14 respectively, are drawn. Thread elements 13 and 14 are twisted together at point 15 to form a combined thread product 16, which is then withdrawn to a Winding device 33 via a thread guide 17.- The thread element 14 passes from the yarn package 12 through a thread guide 18, an adjustable thread tensioning device H and a thread guiding eyelet Ztl to the point of joining 15. The details of the adjustable tensioning device it, which of course yieldingly retards, or restrains, the passage of thread, are not critical and any one of several such devices known to those skilled in the art may be used. For example, a pinch-type or fingertype tensioning device may be used.

The thread element 13 is withdrawn from the package 11, passed through the guiding eyelet 21, an adjustable thread tensioning device 22 similar to tensioning device 19, and a thread guiding eyelet 23. Following its passage through the thread guiding eyelet 23, the thread element 13 is introduced into and passes through a hollow spindle 24, which is rotated by means of a driving pulley 25. A storage disk 26 is connected to the hollow spindle 24 (as shown in FIGURE 1 the spindle 24 and the storage disk form a single unit although they may consist of two separate parts joined together). The thread element 13 subsequent to its passage through the hollow spindle 24, passes through bore 27 in the storage disk 26-, and then contacts the surface of disk 28, connected to disk 26. After leaving disk 28 the thread element 113 balloons freely to the point of joining 15. At the point of joining 15, which as has previously been stated may vary, the desired thread product 16 is formed.

The yarn package 12, it will be seen from FIGURE 1, is positioned on a stator 29 so constructed as to be nonuniformly balanced and to remain stationary during the rotation of the false-twist device. Positioned on the stator 29 is a protective transparent hood 3% which has fixed to it thread guiding members 18, i9 and 20. The thread guiding eyelet 20 or the thread guide 17 or both are adjustable so that the distance therebetween may be varied.

During the operation of the apparatus the tension on the thread elements 13 and 14, or the amount these elements are yieldably retarded, may be regulated either by the thread tensioning devices 22 and 19, respectively, or by altering the position of the thread guiding members 20 and 17. The regulation of the thread tensioning members or the altering of the position of the thread guiding members results in sufiicient clearance between the guiding members so that the point of joining may vary freely and thus equalize the build of the final thread product.

If for any reason the pre-tension of the ballooning element 13 decreases, element 13 is laid further around the storage disk 26. This means a gaining of the ballooning element 13, and results in a temporary higher twist and a greater angle of pitch in the combined thread product 16.

Should the pre-tension of the ballooning element 13 increase, the steps referred to above are accordingly reversed, i.e., the ballooning of element 13 becomes temporarily lower with a corresponding diminished angle of pitch. Care should be taken to prevent the point of joining from being too close to thread guiding members 20 and 17 inasmuch as the build-up of the combined thread product is less satisfactory.

In order to assure against this less favorable condition, the last guiding member of the thread element 14 and the first guiding member of the combined thread product 16 are so positioned in relation to the pre-tension element 19, that the point of joining 15 remains at the most favorable distance from the guiding members mentioned.

This practice of guiding thread element 14 directly to the point of joining 15 allows for the free adjustment of the elements at the point of joining. Thus, with a freely movable point of joining the angle of which the elements combine, is self-adjusting as to the angle of pitch of the combined thread product 16.

The driving may be done in any known way, e.g., by means of a gear-wheel transmission, friction, belt, or electric motor.

Referring now to FIGURE 2 a modification of the false-twist device of FIGURE 1 is shown. In the modification of FIGURE 2, the false-twist is obtained by means of two freely rotatable pulleys 31 and 32 mounted on the rotor with thread element 13 passing through the bored storage disk 26 in the same manner as has been described for FIGURE 1.

Generally, the device of this invention is preferably used in a vertical position so that the combined product 16 may be withdrawn upwardly, however, it should be understood that the device may be satisfactorily operated either in a slanting or upside down position.

The yarn package may be positioned in such a manner as to have the thread elements unroll. Under such circumstances the tension devices 19 and 22 should be regulated as to compensate for the unrolling action.

It is further within the purview of the invention to completely remove the protective hood. When the apparatus is operated without the hood the thread guiding members which are ordinarily connected to it are transferred and connected to the stator 29 in such a manne that contact with the balloon is prevented.

Additionally it is within the purview of this invention to connect the tensioning device for the ballooning element 13 to the storage disk 26.

What is claimed is:

1. A method for the manufacture of a two-element twisted thread product wherein one element balloons around another element resulting in the elements being twisted together at a point of joining which comprises withdrawing a first element from a source of supply, passing said first element under tension to a false-twist device including a storage disk, ballooning said first element by rotation of said false-twist device and said storage disk whereby the tension required for ballooning is generated in the ballooning element between the source of supply and the starting point of the balloon, simultaneously withdrawing a second element from a yarn package under a pre-tension adapted to the tension of the ballooning element, winding said ballooning element around said second element at a free point of joining, and Withdrawing the resultant two-element twisted thread product from said free point of joining.

2. The method of claim 1 which includes freely ballooning said first element.

3. A method for the manufacture of a two-element twisted thread product wherein one element balloons around another element resulting in the elements being twisted together at a point of joining, which comprises withdrawing a first element from a source of supply, passing said first element to a false-twist device including a storage disk, imparting a pre-tension to the first element between the source of supply and the false-twist device, simultaneously withdrawing a second element from a yarn package under a pro-tension adapted to the tension of the ballooning element, ballooning said first element by rotation of said false-twist device and said storage disk, Winding said ballooning element around said second element at a free point of joining, and withdrawing the resultant two-element twisted thread product from said free point of joining.

4. A method for the manufacture of a two-element twisted thread product wherein One element balloons around another resulting in the elements being twisted together at a point of joining which comprises withdrawing a balloonable element under tension from a source of supply, passing said element through a false-twist device including a storage disk, withdrawing a second element coaxial with and in the same direction as the first element under tension from a yarn package, rotating freely a portion of said balloonable element around said axis, restricting one end of said freely rotating portion to said axis, and winding the other end of said freely rotating portion about said second element at a freely movable point of joining.

5. A device for the manufacture of a two-element twisted thread product comprising means to rotate a first thread element about a second thread element at a freely movable point of joining, and means to withdraw a twoelement twisted thread product from said freely movable '7 point of joining, said first means comprising a falsetwist device provided with a storage disk.

6. A device for the manufacture of a two-element twisted thread product, comprising means to rotate a first thread element supplied from a source of supply about a second thread element at a freely movable point of joining, means to supply said second thread element to said freely movable point of joining of said first and second thread elements, and means to withdraw a two-element twisted thread product from said freely movable point of joining, said first means comprising a rotatable false-twist device provided with a storage disk.

7. A device for the manufacture of a two-element twisted thread product comprising means to rotate a first thread element about a second thread element at a freely movable point of joining, said means comprising a falsetwist device provided with a storage disk, means to tension said first thread element prior to rotation, means to supply said second thread element to said freely movable point of joining, means to tension the second thread element prior to being combined with said first thread element, and means to withdraw a two-element twisted thread product from said freely movable point of joining.

8. Apparatus for the manufacture of a two-element twisted thread product comprising means to rotate a first thread element about a second thread element at a freely movable point of joining, said means comprising a falsetwist device provided with a storage disk, means to tension said first thread element prior to rotation, means to supply said second thread element to said freely movable point of joining, adjustable means to tension the second thread element prior to being combined with said first thread element, and means to withdraw a two-element twisted thread product from said freely movable point of joining.

, 9. A device for the manufacture of a two-element twisted thread product comprising means to supply a first thread element, means to tension said first thread element supplied from said supply means, a false-twist device provided with a storage disk to rotate a portion of said first thread element about a second thread element at a freely movable point of joining, stationary means to support a yarn supply package for said second thread element coaxial with respect to the axis of said false-twist device, means to tension said second thread element between said stationary means and said point of joining, and means to withdraw a two-element twisted product from said freely movable point of joining.

10. A method for the manufacture of a two-element twisted thread product which comprises withdrawing a first element from a source of supply, passing said first element through a hollow spindle of a driven false-twist device, continuously storing a portion of said first element on a storage disk of said false-twist device, with drawing a second element from a yarn package, imparting a tension to said first and second elements, ballooning said first element around said yarn package and the second element which is withdrawn therefrom by rotation of said false-twist device, joining said first and second elements together, and withdrawing the resultant two-element twisted thread product from said point of joining.

11. A method for the manufacture of a two-element twisted thread product which comprises withdrawing a first element from a stationary source of supply, tensioning said first element and passing the same through a hollow spindle of a false-twist device, continuously storing a portion of said first element on a storage disk connected to said false-twist device, withdrawing a second element from a yarn package, tensioning said second element, ballooning said first element from a point on said storage disk around said yarn package and the second element which is withdrawn therefrom by rotation of said falsetwist device and said storage disk, twisting said first and second elements into a two-element thread product, and withdrawing said product from the twisting point.

12. Apparatus for the manufacture of a twisted thread product comprising a hollow spindle adapted to receive yarn, means for rotating said spindle, a storage disk on said spindle and having a bore normal to the axis and communicating with the hollow portion thereof, stationary means supported by said spindle for mounting a yarn package, and means for withdrawing a first yarn from a supply source, through said hollow spindle and storage disk and around said yarn package, and for withdrawing a second yarn from said yarn package to a point of plying with said first yarn, said spindle and storage disk ballooning the first yarn around said yarn package.

13. Apparatus for twisting together two strands to form a two-ply cord comprising: a source of supply for a first strand, a rotatable shaft engaging the strand and rotating it in the form of a balloon, a strand storage and strand retarding surface on the outside of the shaft, a support carrying a let-olf strand package for a second strand within the balloon, means for introducing the first strand axially into the shaft, then outwardly to the strand storage surface on the shaft, then into the end of the balloon engaged by the shaft, and finally through the balloon in the direction from the shaft to the opposite end of the balloon, means for introducing the second strand fromits package toward such opposite end of the balloon whereby the two strands meet and are plied together in the form of cord at the opposite end of the balloon, and means beyond the opposite end of the balloon for guiding the plied cord.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 843,448 Fahr Feb. 5, 1907 1,233,593 Macfarlane July 17, 1917 2,400,697 Lewis May 21, 1946 2,442,775 Nelson June 8, 1948 2,625,786 Klein Jan. 20, 1953 2,676,452 Cook Apr. 27, 1954 2,703,958 De Halleux Mar. 15, 1955 2,752,749 De Halleux July 3, 1956 2,811,013 Klein Oct. 29, 1957 

